Icon founder Jonathan Ward is a frequent customer to Jay Leno’s Garage. This time he introduced the most recent of his firm’s Derelict tasks, a purposefully distressed 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 with an LS coronary heart, together with Steve Rulewicz, the consumer that commissioned it.
Unveiled for the 2022 SEMA present, the Mercedes Derelict follows the sample of previous Icon Derelicts, which have ranged from a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud to a 1952 DeSoto wagon, by combining exterior patina with inner efficiency upgrades.
Beneath the weathered paint, the Mercedes is a full-on restomod. The automobile left the manufacturing facility as a unibody, although the unique physique shell now rides on a separate Art Morrison chassis that features four-wheel adjustable coilovers and impartial rear suspension. The automobile additionally has Brembo brakes with Wilwood power-assist {hardware}, in addition to an Icon-designed power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering setup.
The 300 SEL 6.3 was a forerunner of recent Mercedes-Benz AMG efficiency fashions. Mercedes took the 6.3-liter V-8 from the gargantuan 600 sedan and dropped it within the smaller 300 SEL, making a type of German muscle automobile. This was a pure manufacturing facility effort dreamed up by engineer Erich Waxenberger, as AMG was then a very impartial tuner, though it did race a 300 SEL 6.3 called the Red Pig.
The Red Pig, and the overall look of those sedans, impressed Rulewicz to fee this construct. As for why the uncommon 6.3 mannequin was used as a foundation as an alternative of a extra widespread 6-cylinder mannequin, Ward mentioned the higher-end inside fittings and different small particulars justified the choice. The donor automobile had sat in San Bernardino, California, so it was comparatively freed from rust.
The Derelict remains to be powered by a V-8, but it surely’s now the supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The engine makes 638 hp on the crank within the ZR1, and about 500 hp on the wheels within the Mercedes. Installing the LS9 required a customized firewall and entrance inside fenders, and the automobile now sports activities “6.2” badging as an alternative of the inventory 6.3 badge.
Purists might scoff, however Ward was dedicated to the GM engine swap for its reliability, energy, and sound. Check out the total video and have a hear for your self.
This article was initially revealed by Motor Authority, an editorial accomplice of ClassicCars.com.
